Middle East

As Israel heads to the polls, the city housing the Tomb of Abraham remains the site of collective punishment following a Palestinian attack that claimed the lives of two Israeli soldiers, an operation that even General Eyal Zamir has deemed pointless. Yet, it encapsulates a recurring thread of madness, stretching from the 1929 pogrom to the present-day influence of people like Ben-Gvir.

Nazrul Islam Abdul Bashir and Sweety Akter were put to death in Saudi Arabia on 14 October. The controversial case has caused deep shock among activists and the general public, raising questions about the government’s actions. At the heart of the matter lie broader issues concerning the migrant economy and the protection of human rights.

From Hollywood to Bollywood, and across various streaming platforms, the range of content available in the UAE is increasingly diverse. Amid a varied demographic landscape, movie theatres have become spaces for fostering a sense of belonging, rather than serving merely as commercial venues. Yet, cultural consumption and choices are also influenced by geopolitical tensions, at times leading to the boycotting of certain films.

Two gunmen opened fire inside a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral. So far seven people are reported dead, with about a dozen people wounded. A Jordanian priest reports a sense of disbelief among both Christians and Muslims regarding an act that “wounded our hearts,” but “must not succeed in breaking our unity.”

The abduction of a jeweller in Suqaylabiyah has reignited concerns over protection and security. Church leaders describe intimidation and discrimination, whilst Christian representatives within the institutions speak of freedom. This contrast puts the new authorities’ promises of equal rights to the test.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi wants regional energy networks and transport infrastructure to make his country a transit hub between the Persian Gulf, Turkey and European markets. While the ‘Development Road’ project, linking the port of Al Faw to the Turkish border, also presents a new opportunity for Azerbaijan.

Settler violence in the West Bank continues unabated during this year’s olive harvest. Rabbis for Human Rights reported that Israeli and international volunteers detained yesterday by the army were released and expelled, and are now banned from approaching olive groves for up to 30 days. For The New Israel Fund group, harvesting is “not a crime,” while the authorities’ actions are “outrageous”.

Danantara Indonesia has acquired shares in the Novotel Thakher Makkah and 14 adjacent plots. For the government of this Asian nation, it is a ‘strategic’ plan to benefit pilgrims travelling to the Muslim holy cities. Riyadh has postponed the ‘Davos in the Desert’ until 2027 due to the escalation of Houthi attacks.

With their stable voting blocs, Shas and United Torah Judaism have been key allies for Netanyahu. However, the row over conscription for Yeshiva students has changed the equation. Meanwhile, a (minority) reformist religious faction is also on the ballot with a woman as a leading candidate.

In the final statement of their synod, the first held in Rome since the appointment of the new patriarch, Chaldean Bishops issued an appeal to young people to play an active role in their country. Meanwhile, from Jerusalem, patriarchs and heads of the Churches have condemned the escalating attacks in Taybeh.

The government wants to prevent the pro-Tehran movement from becoming involved in the regional conflict; concerns mount over the new front between the Houthis and Riyadh in Yemen. Attention is focused on the elections in Israel and the US. Washington is pressing for dialogue between the Lebanese and Israeli armies as UNIFIL’s mandate draws to a close.

The Italian Ambassador to Syria presented the religious sister with an award for her long service at Saint-Louis Hospital. She dedicatedthe recognitionto the sick and the poor shemetover more than half a century.For her,“Syria has become my second homeland,”